MartinWren wins $1.81 million settlement in Virginia brain injury case

MartinWren, P.C. secured a $1.81 million federal court settlement for a married couple injured in a rear-end crash in Richmond. The case highlights how documented neurological testing helped overcome defenses tied to prior medical histories and secure a pretrial resolution.

Why it matters: - The settlement compensates a husband and wife who said a rear-end crash caused traumatic brain injuries and worsened mental health conditions. - The case underscores how post-concussion symptoms can disrupt work, daily function and long-term recovery. - The result also shows the value of neuropsychological evidence in disputed injury claims.

What happened: - MartinWren, P.C. secured a $1,810,000 settlement in the Eastern District of Virginia federal court. - The firm represented a married couple injured when their vehicle was rear-ended in Richmond. - The couple was stopped in traffic when the crash happened. - Both people were ambulatory at the scene and were first diagnosed at an emergency room with soft tissue injuries only. - Several days later, both were independently diagnosed with concussions after severe, persistent symptoms developed.

The details: - Over the following months, both spouses developed significant TBI-related complications, including cognitive impairments and executive dysfunction. - Their pre-existing anxiety and depression also worsened sharply after the collision. - The husband had just been cleared to return to a high-paying career after recovering from a prior concussion. - The new injuries prevented the husband from resuming that job. - During litigation, the defense contested liability for long-term damages. - Defense experts argued the ongoing symptoms came from pre-existing medical and behavioral health histories rather than the crash, with particular focus on the husband’s prior concussion. - The legal team used neurological treatment records, neuropsychological evaluations and objective validity testing to connect the new trauma to the collision. - The evidence was also used to show the husband’s effort to recover and return to work.

Between the lines: - Robert E. Byrne, Jr., MartinWren’s managing shareholder, said litigating dual-plaintiff traumatic brain injury claims in Virginia’s “Rocket Docket” brings unusual evidentiary and procedural challenges. - Byrne said the firm used neurological examinations, neuropsychological testing and forensic evidence to show the collision’s life-altering impact. - The settlement was reached before trial, which avoids the uncertainty of a jury verdict in a heavily contested injury case.

What's next: - MartinWren, P.C. says the resolution allows the couple to begin rebuilding their lives after the crash. - The firm continues to handle personal injury, catastrophic injury, tractor-trailer collision and wrongful death cases across Virginia. - MartinWren, P.C. has offices in Charlottesville and Harrisonburg. - More information is available on the firm's website.

The bottom line: - The case turned on proof that a low-speed-looking crash caused serious and lasting brain injury, not just temporary soreness.